Bowyer declares 'I am no racist'

Lee Bowyer broke his silence about the controversy that has blighted his career yesterday and said four words that few believed he would say: "I am no racist."

It is the first time the Newcastle United midfielder has spoken publicly about his turbulent past, which centres on the events of the night of January 12, 2000 when Bowyer was part of a group of Leeds players who chased an Asian student, Sarfraz Najeib, through Leeds city centre.

Najeib ended up in hospital with a broken leg, broken nose and a bite mark on his cheek. Bowyer along with Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Duberry and Tony Hackworth, plus two friends of Woodgate, Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, ended up in court. Clifford was sentenced to six years in prison. Woodgate, now also a Newcastle player, had to serve 100 hours' community service, as did Caveney. Bowyer was acquitted, although the judge said his testimony was "littered with lies". Duberry and Hackworth were also cleared.

Newcastle, like West Ham, whom Bowyer joined from Leeds in January, have suffered a backlash after signing the England player.

"I'm no racist, I have never been and never will be," Bowyer told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. "I thought it was best for me to keep quiet about what happened in the past and there were legal implications.

"There was no reason for me to come and say anything. If people were inferring that I was a racist, well, that's their opinion. But it was ludicrious, really. I was brought up in a mixed community in London and all my friends and schoolboy pals were of different nationalities.

"All this has been going on for a long time and I've not been in a position to back myself up, but now I want to put the record straight. I have always supported Kick Racism Out Of Football - when I was at Charlton with my pal Carl Leaburn and at Leeds with Lucas Radebe. It's something I've always supported - but people seem to forget that these days."

Bowyer added: "I'm delighted at the way things have gone since I came to Newcastle. Every fan I've met - from those at the garage when I've been buying my petrol to those in the supermarket - have wished me well. I got a great reception from the fans when I played my first home game and I'd love to get the same again against Man United."